In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with furniture maker and educator Jarrad Belton, known as the “worker of wood”. Jarrad shares his journey from leaving college unsure of his path to discovering carpentry, mastering timber machining, and retraining as a fine furniture maker. He opens up about the reality of working in an undervalued trade, the discipline it takes to master hand tools, and why passion must come before profit in any creative career. 

Jarrad discusses sustainability in timber sourcing, the ethics of using tropical hardwoods, and how he teaches new makers to respect their materials from forest to finished form. The conversation explores the delicate balance between creative ambition and commercial reality, the challenge of developing a unique design identity, and the enduring joy of working with your hands.

Key Topics Covered

• Jarrad’s journey from carpentry to fine furniture making
• Why passion outweighs profit in craft careers
• Sustainability and the ethics of timber sourcing
• The importance of using native species and understanding tree ecology
• Teaching the next generation of furniture makers at Farnham School
• The value of exhibitions and building reputation through word of mouth
• Balancing hand tools with machine efficiency
• Finding your creative voice and developing a recognisable style
• The discipline and satisfaction of working with raw materials
• Lessons on self-worth, pricing, and not underselling your craft

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Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

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Key Moments:

00:00 – Robin introduces Jarrad Belton and his early start at English Woodlands

02:00 – How carpentry replaced a career in motorbike mechanics

04:25 – Retraining in furniture making and finding purpose in craft

07:05 – Why apprenticeships and furniture courses are disappearing

16:00 – The sense of community in traditional craft

17:30 – Jarrad’s design philosophy and inspiration from nature

20:00 – Timber ethics and the dangers of unsustainable forestry

24:00 – Lessons from French silviculture and biodiversity in woodlands

39:00 – Starting a furniture business and learning the value of your time

44:15 – The struggle for recognition as an independent maker

54:11 – How to price work without underselling your craft

58:41 – Comparing craftsmanship to car making and industrial design

1:02:48 – Designing for nature and impermanence

1:04:08 – The challenge of originality and creative identity

1:08:05 – Lessons from sculptor Philip Walker on aesthetics and intuition

1:10:04 – Balancing machines and hand tools in modern furniture making

1:13:33 – Teaching apprentices the importance of hand skills

1:16:45 – Jarrad’s advice to his 18-year-old self: stop comparing

1:18:31 – Exhibitions, galleries, and where to find Jarrad’s work